Dillon Gabriel return nears: Shocking new trade rumors surface around Browns QB
The Browns could soon face a quarterback dilemma, with Dillon Gabriel nearing his return from injured reserve and trade speculation surrounding both him and Shedeur Sanders.
D illon Gabriel is getting closer to returning from injured reserve, and his comeback could create an unexpected dilemma for the Cleveland Browns : they would soon have a surplus of quarterbacks on the roster.
The second-year passer will be eligible to return after the Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Cleveland activates him, it would have four quarterbacks on its 53-man roster and could be forced to part with one.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler , the right offer could lead the Browns to trade Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders , while rookie Taylen Green appears to have his spot secured as a developmental project.
"I could see if they get the right offer for whoever it is, I think Taylen Green they'd like to keep as a developmental, so it would probably have to be Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel," Fowler said on ESPN Cleveland .
The insider made clear that no decision has been made.
"I am not saying they're definitely trading, I am saying they have the flexibility. This is very much a value-based team. The Browns are that more than any other."
Gabriel is on track to return after a promising preseason
The back injury halted a very encouraging end to the preseason. In the Browns' 37-13 win over the New England Patriots on Aug. 27 , Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, making a strong impression.
Just three days later, Cleveland surprisingly placed him on injured reserve. As a result, the team opened the season with Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Taylen Green as the three quarterbacks on the active roster.
Gabriel could draw interest from several teams looking for depth at the position, especially given the wave of injuries among NFL quarterbacks . Selected in the third round of the 2025 draft, he played 10 games, six as a starter, during his rookie season. In that span he completed 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards , with seven touchdowns, two interceptions, an 80.8 rating and an average of 5.1 yards per attempt.
His starting experience and his preseason performance make him an attractive piece for other teams. Even so, the Browns will have to weigh whether potential compensation justifies parting with an experienced quarterback.
In addition, being eligible to return doesn't mean he will be activated right away. Cleveland still has to determine when he will be fully recovered and how it will make room on the roster.
Deshaun Watson establishes himself as the starter
Meanwhile, Watson continues to cement himself as the man in Cleveland. The Browns head into Thursday's game with a 2-1 record, powered by two straight wins. In the 21-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers , Watson threw two touchdown passes without a turnover, including the one that gave Harold Fannin Jr. the go-ahead score with less than two minutes to play.
For now, Sanders remains the top backup, while Gabriel waits to regain a spot in the rotation.
Fowler, however, did not rule out a scenario in which Gabriel stays and Sanders ends up as the trade chip. For that to happen, he explained, the Browns would first have to feel fully confident with Gabriel as their No. 2 quarterback.
"Right now, I don't sense any movement, I think they are comfortable where they're at," Fowler said.
